VIDEO: Cubs' Bryant blasts 9th spring homer

Kris Bryant continues to make things difficult for Theo Epstein.

Bryant, the best prospect on the planet, strengthened his case for a spot on the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day roster once again Tuesday by blasting his league-leading ninth spring home run, a towering shot to left field off Oakland Athletics left-hander Drew Pomeranz.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Though Bryant's teammates would love to see him take the field April 5 for their season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs may dispatch the 23-year-old to the minor leagues to open the campaign in order to delay his eligibility for free agency by a year.

"There's not much any of us can do anymore," teammate Anthony Rizzo remarked to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. "It is what it is. He's a great kid. That's really all you can keep saying."

Bryant's immediate future with the Cubs remains among the most contentious storylines this spring, and his agent, Scott Boras, remarked last week that keeping him in the minors would be damaging to "the ethics and brand of Major League Baseball."

Bryant, the second overall pick in 2013, has spent the majority of his professional career at third base but completed some outfield drills Tuesday and will likely play there over the next few days.

"(We wanted to) get him back out there and reacquainted," manager Joe Maddon said. "He knows how to do it."